Container



Oct. 8, 1935. J. c'. LA GRUA 2,016,863

CONTAINER Filed Dec. 27, 1952 s sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY .....mmm'l millll Oct. 8, 1935. J. c. LA GRUA CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.

INVENTQR `fmes t? a fua ATT RNEY Gd. 8, 1935. J, C, LA GRUA v 2,016,863

CONTAINER Filed Dec. 27, 1952 s sheets-sheet 3 INVENTOR James a rua/ ATTORNEY Patented oet. s, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER James C. La Grua, New Haven, Conn., assignor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 27, 1932, serial No. 648,861

11 claims.

This invention relates to containers for frozen products and the like and more particularly to a knockdown container especially adapted for use in the packaging of ice cream.

In accordance with this invention a container is provided which can be so cheaply made as to make it economical vand practicable to discard and destroy the same after a single use. The container comprises generally a collapsible body member formed from a single blank of paperboard material, The bottom end is provided with a plurality of inturned tabs which seat bottom closure member.

upon the end wall of the closure member. The closure member is provided with a side flange which telescopes over the bottom end of the body member. 'Ihe side flange of the bottom closure is provided with an inwardly extending rim. A disc provided with a plurality lof. laterally extending lugs is inserted into the body member of the container. The body member is provided with corresponding slot openings adjacent the inturned tab portions thereof through which the lugs extending from the insert disc may be projected. The inwardly extending rim on the side flange of the closure member is positioned so as to permit the free ends of the lugs extending through the slot openings to engage the rim from beneath the same, thus securely locking the body member and closure member in iirm set up assembly. l

The container may be quickly and easily set up by the packer by expanding the body member into tubular form which may be accomplished by applying a slight inward pressure to the same along the vertically extending score lines, thereby causing the body segments to assume an arcuate form. The bottom tabs are then bent inwardly and the body member inserted into the The inner disc may be provided with a diametrioally extending score line to permit the same to be folded to facilitate insertion thereof into the body member. The

inserted disc is manipulated so as to force the laterally extending lugs thereon to project themselves through the spaced slots provided in the lower end of the body member. The lugs are of such length as to extend beneath the inturned rim portion provided on the side flange of the closure member. The container is then ready to be filled with ice cream or other frozen products, a suitable cover applied thereto and the packed container then sent to the refrigerating room where the contents are frozen Within the sealed container.

An object of thisvinvention is to provide a container for frozen products which is strong, attractive in appearance, and durable in use, and which may be manufactured at a cost which will make it economical to discard the same after a single use. 5

Another object of this invention is to provide a container especially adapted for the packaging of frozen products, which may be shipped to the packer in collapsed condition occupying a minimum of space and which may be set up and 10 assembled by the packer quickly, efliciently and economically by unskilled labor and with simple tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible container for frozen products 15 and the like which combines the desirable qualities of a collapsible body portion and a strong and durable bottom closure, which container may be inexpensively made and which may be easily and quickly locked to "he body member by 20 the 'packer without requiring the use of any gluing, stapling, stitching or other corresponding securing operations.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which 30 it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the completely assembled container;

Fig. 2 represents a cutout blank from which the body member of the container is formed; Fig. 3 represents a cutout blank which forms 4@ a part of the bottom closure;

Fig. 4 represents a strip of paperboard or other material which is secured to the side flange of the bottom closure to hold the same assembled and to provide a locking rim for the insert disc; 45

Fig. 5 represents a cutout blank which is inserted into the container and operates to lock the body member to the closure member;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the tubular body member as it appears in collapsed condition; 50

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross sectional view through the container taken online 1 1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a fragmentary portion of the container showing more particularly the bottom construction thereof 55 and the means used for locking the bottom member to the closure member;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom portion of a container having a bottom closure of modified construction;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container having the modified closure member shown in Fig. 9, and illustrating more particularly the manner in which the locking disc operates to lock the body member and closure member together;

Fig. 11 represents a cutout blank from which a body member of polygonal form may be made;

Fig. 12 represents a blank from which may be made a polygonal bottom closure member adapted to fit the body member formed from the blank shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 represents a locking disc of polygonal form adapted to be associated with the container parts formed from the blanks shown in Figs. 11 and 12;

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are respective views of the container parts shown in Figs. 13, 11 and 12, respectively, and as they appear when they are ready to be assembled; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary perspective View of the assembled container formed from the blanks shown in Figs. 1l, 12 and. 13.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The container herein disclosed is formed from a blank A shown in Fig. 2 and is preferably made of flbreboard which possesses considerable strength. 1f desired, the inside or outside of the body, or both, may be waxed so as to more effectively preserve the contents and to strengthen the container and make it more resistant to the effects of moisture. The blank is cut and scored in the general shape shown in Fig. 2 and comprises generally a main body portion I, a securing tab portion 2 which is secured to the opposite free edges of the body member by stitches, staples I3, or other suitable securing means.

The main body portion I may be divided by vertically extending score lines 3 into a plurality of segments which facilitates the collapse of the body member into the form shown in Fig. 6. The lower end is provided with a plurality of tongues 1 which are hinged to the main body portion I along the score lines 8. The upper end of the container may be provided with a flange 4 connected to the upper edge of the main body portion I along the score line 5. The top fiange 4 may be divided into convenient segments by means of spaced cuts 6 therein, as clearly shown in the drawings.

The bottom closure member of the container may be formed from a blank B shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Blank B comprises generally a bottom end portion I0 having a plurality of tab portions II hinged thereto along the score lines I2 and radially extending therefrom. The tab portions I I are bent upwardly so as to constitute a side wall or side fiange for the closure member. The tab portions II maybe held in side flange assembled position by means of a st rip of paperboard or other suitable material II which is secured to the inside face of the tab portions II. The lower edge of the strip I1 is spaced from the end portion I0 of the closure member as shown more particularly in Fig. 8, for a purpose hereafter to be described.

The body. member and the bottom closure member are locked together by means of a locking disc C which is inserted into the body member. The locking disc comprises a bottom portion I3 whose diameter is substantially the same as the diameter of the body member. A plurality of lugs I4 formed integral with the bottom portion I3 radiate from the outer edge thereof, shown more clearly in Fig. 5. The lugs I4 are so spaced and of such size as to conveniently enter spaced openings or slots 9 provided near the lower edge of the body member A. To facilitate insertion of the locking disc 3 the same may be folded along a score line IG extending diametrically through the same.

The body member A may be shipped to the packer in stacked collapsed condition in the form shown in Fig. 6. The bottom closure member which comprises the bottom blank B and strip II assembled together and the locking disc C are separately stacked and shipped incompact condition to the packer or user. The container may be assembled by expanding the collapsed body memberAinto substantially tubular form. The tongue portions 'I at the lower end thereof are then turned inwardly and the bottom closure member is telescoped thereover. and body member into a firm and rigid assembly, the locking disc C is inserted into the body portion and the same is manipulated so as to project the locking lugs I4 through the spaced slots 9 provided therefor. The locking lugs I4 are of such length as to snugly seat under the lower edge of the rim I1 secured to the side fiange forming tabs II of the bottom closure.

The locking disc I3 is of such size that the outer periphery I5 thereof seats snugly against the inside face of the body member A when the same is fully expanded. The locking disc C faces the body member to assume the desired cross sectional shape. To facilitate the insertion of the locking disc C, a score'line I6 extending diametrically across the disc may be provided so that the disc may be folded together and more conveniently manipulated during the locking opera.- tion. The locking disc C also greatly reinforces the bottom of the container and provides a smooth and finished bottom surface upon which the contents may rest.

There is shown in Figs. 9 and 10 a bottom closure memberB of somewhat modified construction. In this form a separate end piece 24 of fibreboard or other suitable material is provided which rests upon an inturned flange 20 of the bottom rim forming member B. 'I'his bottom rim -member may be made of metal, relatively strong and stiff fibreboard or similar suitable material. A side flange 2| extends upwardly from the inturned seating fiange 20 and an inturned rim portion 22 extends inwardly and downwardly to snugly abut against the outside face of the tubular body member. The inturned rim portion 22 is preferably spaced from the side flange 2I of the member so as to permit the lower edge 'portion 23 to be out-turned sufficiently to pro- To lock the closure member y portions 4i may be provided with securing tabs` vso A comprises generally a number of side wall forming segments defined bythe vertically extending score lines 32. A securing tab 3l may be provided which may be secured to the free edge of the opposite segmental side wall portion 30 by staples, stitches, glue or other suitable securing means. A reinforcing flange 33 divided into segments by cuts 35 are hinged to the segmental side wall portions 30 along the score lines 34. The lower end of the container is provided with tongues 36 hinged to the side walls 30 along the score lines 3l. Lateral extending slots 38 adapted to receive the locking lugs 5l extending from the body portion 50 of the locking disc C, shown in Fig. 13, are also provided.

The bottom closure member is formed from a blank B shown more particularly in Fig. 12. The blank B comprises an end portion of polygonal form having a desired number of side walls 4l extending laterally therefrom and hinged thereto along the score lines 42. Alternate side wall at each or both ends thereof and hinged thereto along the score lines 46. Each of the side wall portions 4l are provided with flaps 43 hinged thereto along the score lines 44. In assembling the bottom closure, the side wall portions 4l are bent into substantially vertical position with respect to the bottom portion 40. The securing tabs 45 are glued or otherwise suitably secured to the inside face of the adjacent side wall portion. The flaps 43 are then inturned and glued to the inside face of the side wall portions 4 I, producing a bottom closure member substantially as shown in Fig. I6.

In assembling this type of container the body member A is expanded into its proper polygonal cross sectional form and after the tongues 36 have been bent inwardly, the lower end of the body member is inserted into the bottom closure. The locking disc C' shown more particularly in Fig. 13 is then inserted into the body member and the locking lugs 5| projected through the spaced slots 38 so that the ends of the lugs seat directly beneath and against the inside edge of the inturned flaps 43 and the edges b2 abut the side walls 3|), shown more particularly in Fig. 1'7. The locking disc C is of sufficient size to snugly ilt within the body member A when fully expanded. A rigid, strong and attractive container is thus provided.

From the above disclosure it is seen that the container may be made of any desired form, shape or size which is found convenient and desirable. The' container may be used for the packaging of many different dry and semi-dry products of all descriptions. 'I'he container is especially serviceable where shipping and storage space must/be taken into consideration since the container can be easily and quickly assembled from collapsed knockdown position by the packer or user with unskilled labor and without special tools.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A` collapsible container for frozen products and the like including in combination, a body member having a. plurality of spaced openings at one end thereof, a closure member having a.

side flange telescoped over said end, locking means associated with said side flange, and an insert piecehaving locking means associated therewith adapted to be inserted through said openings and to engage said side flange locking 5 means to maintain the container in assembled set up condition, said body member presenting a smooth unbroken inner surface when the insert piece is positioned therein.

2. A container of the character described inl0 cluding in combination, a collapsible body member having a plurality of spaced openings at one end thereof, a closure member having a side flange telescoped over said end, locking means associated with said side flange, and removable l5 means positioned within said body member extending through said openings and engaging said side flange locking means to maintain the container in assembled set up condition, said body member presenting a smooth unbroken inner 20 surface when said removable means has been in position therein.

3. A container of the character described including in combination, a collapsible body member having a plurality of spaced openings at one 25 end thereof, a closure member having a side flange telescoped over said end, locking means associated with said flange, a separate relatively stiff insert disc positioned within the container, said disc having means extending through said openings and engaging said side flange locking means to maintain the container in assembled set up condition.

4. A container of the character described including in combination, a body member having 35 a plurality of spaced openings at one end thereof, a closure member having a side flangetelescoped over said end, said flange having an inturned rim portion, and an insert piece having means extending through said openings and en- 40 gaging said rim portion to firmly lock said body member and closure member in unitary set up assembly, said body member presenting a smooth unbroken inner surface when the insert piece has been positioned therein. f

5. A container of the character' described including in combination, a. collapsible body member of tubular form having a plurality of spaced slots at one end thereof, a closure member having a side flange telescoped over said end, said 50 flange having an inwardly extending rim portion, and a separate relatively stiff insert disc positioned within the container, said disc having lateral projections adapted to engage under said rim portion to firmly lock said body member and closure member together infirm set up assembly, said body member presenting a smooth unbroken, inner surface when the insert piece has been positioned therein.

6. A collapsible container of the character described including in combination, a body member having inturned tab portions at one end thereof, said body member having a plurality of spaced slots adjacent said tab portions, a closure member having a side flange telescoped over said end, locking means extending from said flange, and a relatively stiff insert disc seated upon said tab portions, said disc having means extending through said slots and engaging said side flange locking means to maintain said body member and closure member locked together in rm set up assembly, said body member presenting aA smooth unbroken inner surface when the insert piece has been positioned therein.

'7. A container for frozen products and the like including in combination, a body member, a closure member telescoped over said body member, said closure member comprising a bottom portion, tab portions extending from said bottom portion, a continuous band connecting said tab portions to maintain the same in assembled side flange formation, a shoulder portion provided on the inside face of said side Wall formation, and means positioned within said body member operative to lock said body member to the closure member in rm set up assembly.

8. A container of the character described including in combination, a body member, a closure member telescoped over one end of said body member, said closure member comprising a bottom portion, tab portions extending from said bottom portion, a continuous strip secured to the inside face of said tab portions to maintain the same in assembled side flange formation, and means cooperating with said strip to lock said body member to the closure member in rigid set up assembly.

9. A container of the character described including in combination, a body member having a plurality of spaced openings at one end thereof, a closure member telescoped over one end of said body member, said closure member comprising a bottom portion, tab portions extending from said bottom portion, a continuous strip secured to the inside face of said tab portions maintaining said tabs in assembled side flange formation, and means extending through said openings and engaging said strip to operatively lock said body member and closure member in rm set up assembly.

10. A knockdown container including in combination, a collapsible body member having in- 5 wardly extending fianges and a plurality of spaced openings at one end thereof, a closure member telescoped over said end and seated against said iianges, said closure member comprising a bottom portion, side wall portion and l0 an inturned rim portion, and an insert piece having means extending through said openings and engaging said inturned rim to lock said body member and closure member in firm set up assembly, said body member presenting a smooth 15 unbroken inner surface when the insert piece has been positioned therein.

11. A container of the character described including in combination, a collapsible body member having a plurality of spaced slots at one end 2o thereof, a closure member telscoped over said end, said closure member comprising a bottom portion, a side Wall portion, an inturned rim portion andan out-turned edge portion extending vfrom said rim portion, and an insert disc posi- 25 tioned within the body portion, said disc having lateral projections extending through said slots and Iseated against said outturned edge of the 

